Hawks win home opener over Kennedy

Woodland’s Joe Masulli (32) carries the ball during the second quarter against Kennedy Oct. 5 in Beacon Falls. –ELIO GUGLIOTTI

BEACON FALLS — After Woodland’s 47-16 loss to Ansonia in Week 2, the Hawks had a full week to recover without a Week 3 game to play. But that week wasn’t a rest period — especially on the eyes.

“It took two days of film to get through the first half,” Woodland coach Tim Shea said. “They were very long film sessions and we were very in-your-face about it. Some of it was tough for them to take but they took it.”

When the Hawks “flipped the switch” to prepare for Kennedy at the end of the off week, they went from looking back to looking forward.

In their grand return — and home opener on the first Friday of October — the Hawks smashed Kennedy 47-0 to stay unbeaten in the Naugatuck Valley League Copper Division.

Woodland (2-1) ran away with the game early, scoring three touchdowns in each of the first two quarters to take a 41-0 lead at the half.

Junior quarterback Tanner Kingsley matched the school record he tied in his Week 1 start, throwing five touchdown passes to lead the Hawks’ spread offense.

Kingsley was 14-of-16 for 167 yards and no interceptions. He was once again, like in Woodland’s 46-0 win over Sacred Heart, the beneficiary of short fields and the orchestrator of a precision passing game.

He connected with Anthony Scirpo on two touchdown passes and threw one each to Rahmi Rountree, Brian Reis and Jack Pinho.

“He’s growing every week,” Shea said. “People forget at the Ansonia game Rahmi didn’t play (because of a suspension). Would it have mattered? I don’t know. But we have him and Mike Kenney back so there are more options, and the offensive line is getting better.”

Scirpo also returned a punt for a 90-yard touchdown and Josh Collet scored a rushing touchdown in the second half.

Woodland’s defense forced five turnovers. Mike Coelho, Will Flormann, Eric Collodel and Jack Pinho all recovered fumbles while Coby Vaccarelli made his second pick of the season.

“It’s always good to pitch a shutout,” Shea said. “We thought we had a pretty good game plan and we knew what Kennedy wanted to do. We turned them over a lot and had some short fields to capitalize on.”

The Hawks stay at home Friday to face winless St. Paul, who sports another passing-dominated offense. Woodland’s tough second-half schedule starts Oct. 19 at Torrington.